Electric circuit closer



June 18, 1929.

N. scHLElcH ET AL ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed Dec. 27, 1926 Patented June 18k, 1929.

UNITED STATES y 1,717,467 PATENT oFFicE.

NICK senLnrcn AND CLARENCE J. ALDRrneE, or sanar rnLLs, MONTANA, assrenons oroNn-rnran Torneos J. sona-erin, or einemy FALLS, ,no nrANn.

nLEoTRrc `CIRCUIT CLOSER'.

Application filed December 27, 1926. Serial No. 157,255.

The primary object of the'invention is the provision of means for automatically closing the circuit of adjacent cars when coupled, and breakingsaid circuit when the cars are uncoupled and interrupting the connection between the circuit closer and the electric conductor. y Obviously, the invention is susceptible of general. application in connection with movable parts for automatically connectix'ig electric conductors when said parts are brought together and breaking the circuit when said parts are separated.

The invention rprovides an arrangement which is certain and positive in action, automatic in operation and simple in construction, embodying a few number of lparts which are adapted to be readily and conveniently assembled and easily accessible for repairs or other desired purposes.

Vhile the drawings illustrate afpreferred embodiment of thefinvention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meetspecific needs and requirements, the designmay be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of thelinvention as claimed, without departing'from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits ythereofreference is to be had to the following description and the drawing hereto attached, in which,

Figure 1 is a central, longitudinal sectional view of an electric circuitk closer embodying the invention, showing the"relation of the parts when in neutral position g' i Figure 2 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts whenfthe circuit is closed.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in both views of thevdrawings by likey reference characters. p f

The numerals 1'and`2 designate movable parts, such as members of a car coupling, which are adapted to be brought together and close the circuit represented by the elements 3 and 4 which are conductors through which the electric circuit is closed when the parts 1 and 2 are brought together', as indicated most clearly in Figure 2. The part 1 is provided with a metal socket '5 which is electrically insulated therefrom, and to which the conductor 3 is electrically connected, The part 2 is likewise provided with a metal socket 6 which is electrically :insulated therefrom, and to which the conductor 4 is electrically connected. The openings ofthe sockets taper ber-10 isfori'ned with a tapering extension 12 to enter the socket G.; Aslccve 13 is mounted upon themember 9 `and is electrically insui lated therefrom and connected thereto in any determinate way4 forv movement therewith. The sleeve 13 is formed with anannular en'-, largement 14 to which a shell 15 is connected at its inner end, said shell having an inwardly disposed flange 15a at its forward end,y The annularenlargementy 14 provides yan abutment-for two helical springs 1e` andlwhich are disposed uponoppo'sitesides of the sleeve 13. The spring 16 is arranged between the inner end of the chamber 7 and the enlarge `ment 14, and normally urges the member 9 forwardly to hold its tapered end 11 clear of the socket 5, as indicated most clearlyin Figure 71.'A `When the member 9 is'pressed rearwardly, the springl 16 is compressed. f

The member 10 is formed with an axial opening 18 to receive a stem 19 projecting fronfi the member 9. A'slecve 20,'similar to the sleeve 13, is secured upon the member 10 and has an annular enlargement 21 iformin g a stop to limit the'forward movement of the f member and anabutment for the forward end of the springl. yThe sleeve/20 is electrically insulated from the member 10 fandmay bey connected; thereto in any `determinate way.y The forward end of the stem 19 is .xedland spread to insure a positive connection with' lthe walls of the opening 18.

When the circuit `closer is in neutral position the parts are arranged substantially as shown in Figure 1, the enlargement 21 being in Contact with the inner iiange 15a of the shell 15, and said flange' 15a being in 1 contact with the confining ring 8, as indicated most'y clearly in F igure 1. When the y parts l and 2 yare brought together, the

circuit closer is moved rearwardly and the tapered ends 1l and 12 enter the respective( sockets 5 and 6, thereby completing the cir,-

iio f cuit through the electric conductors 3 and el, as indicated Amost clearly in Figure 2. Vlien the parts l and 2 are separated, as indicated in Figure 1, the spring 16 moves the member 9 forwardly to break connection thereof with the socket 5, and the spring lrmoves the member 1.0 forwardly to bring the elements 15a, 2l and 8 into contact.

.Having thus described the invention, we claim: Y 1. In combinationwith apart having a chamber' formed therein, a. socket. at the inner end of the chamber, a confining ring at the outer end of said chamber and a circuit closer within the chamber and held in place by said Aconlining ring, and comprising two members having a telescopic connection,a helical spring interposed between theV two members to normally urge them apart and a helical spring' between the inner end of the .chamber and the inner. member and normally urging the circuit closer as a whole towards the outer end of thechamber.

2. Incombination lwith a part having ,a chamber, a socket at the inner end of the chamber', a confining ring at theouter end of thechamber, a memberhaving an outer enlargement and extending through they said coniningring and limited` in its forward movement bythe enlargement thereof and the said confining ring, a companion member within the inner portion of thezchamrber, and having al telescopic connection with v the first lmentioned member and formed with an annular enlargementa helical springin-v terposed between the two members, asecond -helical spring interposed between the inner end of the chamber and the inner member, and a shell secured to the enlargement of the Vinner member and having an inner flange at itsforward'end to engage the said conlining ring and the annular enlargementV of the forward member.

V`3. The Combination with movable parts, Y one of the parts having a chamber formed therein, a socket atthe inner end of the chamber, a second socket carried by the cooperating part, members loosely mounted within the` said chamber, each* having an annular enlargement anda tapered projection to coact with the respective sockets, one of the members having an axial opening and the other member provided with a stem telescoping the said opening, ahelical spring interposed between the two members, a second helical sirinorarranfredY between the inner anda shell securedto the annular enlarge- Vment of the inner member and looselyreceiving the annular enlargement of the outer member and provided with an inner flange adapted to come between the said confining ring and the annular enlargementl of the outer member.r l A Y 4. 'An electric circuit closer including a fixed contact, an end sliding member, an intermediate sliding member telescoping the end member and provided with acontact to close the circuit through thev fixed contact, an

open helical spring normally holding the two members pressed apart, and a second open helical spring normally holding the intermediate member away frvom the fixed contact.

5. An electric circuit closer including a fixed contact, anend slidingmember having an axial opening, yan intermediate sliding member having a stem slidable in the axial opening of the end member 'and provided with a contact to close the circuit through the fixed contact., an open helical spring normal- 'ly holding the two members pressed apart,

and a second open helicaly spring normally holding the intermediate member away from the fixed contact. Y

6.7An velectric circilitV closer including a 1 fixed contact, an end sliding inem-ber, an inter- 'Nien sentaron.V e [Le] Y CLARENCE J. Armenien. [L Sg vend of said Vchamber and the inner member, l 

